It’s a pretty safe assumption that you’re slightly over dramatic when you have this dialogue with your husband…
Maren: My toe hurts (have a small minor sore). Oh yeah, how’s YOUR toe (he broke it last week)?
Michael: Oh it’s very sore, and hurts terribly (has not mentioned it hurt since he broke it).
Maren: Well, then why don’t you complain?
********************************************************************
Stewardship & generosity—I struggle with the balance! My goal in life is to be a generous person—truly it is. It does, however, come with great difficulty and terrible mental angst since we’re on a very limited budget and have an insane goal of getting your house paid off ASAP. We’re trying to save in all areas to pay the house off as soon as we can—One way this is demonstrated is by my crazy low grocery budget, of which people laugh when they’re told of the measly amount. But, by the looks of me, I’m not starving. Now Michael—debatable, but I get fed plenty. (The last sentence is a joke…please do not send food! Haha! Michael is fine.)
Now to the generosity part—I do realize that generosity is not all about monetary items— it can be given through time, resources, assistance, etc. as well. But for now, I’m writing in reference to generosity in regards to money. I love to give gifts, but often times, the money factor will inhibits me from giving as I would like. Recently, I’ve been to the store to buy a couple of gifts. Without even working hard to hit a limit, $50 bucks was spent on random gifts that the receivers will probably end up ebaying or regifting (maybe that’s an exaggeration, but people like what they like…both of these gifts were from registeries, so hopefully this won’t be the case). I still have more gifts to buy. So, rather than happiness filling my heart with the opportunity to give, dread creeps in with thoughts of money disappearing from our extra house payment. It’s definitely a struggle!
I realized yesterday, though, that it can all be put into perspective, however, when a friend of mine is having to spend literally HUNDREDS of dollars to be in another friend’s wedding~ my recent struggle is so much smaller in comparison!
It’s just one more lesson that I’m learning: happily giving generously while simulatneously being a good steward. This Scrooge is working to find the proper balance!
